Welcome

Depictions of Santa have evolved massively over the

Defining Moments

© Alamy 30 November 1996 STONE OF SCONE

Greatest Battles

BATTLE OF MILVIAN BRIDGE PONTE MILVIO, ITALY, 28 OCTOBER 312 CE

THE FRANKS HAD LOST THE BATTLE OF TOURS

With a Muslim success at Tours, the culture, religion and power of the Arab world could reach deeper into Europe than ever before

HOLBEIN AT THE TUDOR COURT

A new exhibition at Buckingham Palace celebrates the most famous portrait artist of the Tudor era

BOUDICA

An admirable but flawed stab at honouring a national legend

UNCROWNED: ROYAL HEIRS WHO DIDN’T TAKE THE THRONE

A readable history of some right-royal also-rans!

THE ART OF MAGIC FROM MAGUS: FAUSTUS TO AGRIPPA

A fascinating journey through the history of Renaissance magic

THE SILK ROADS

A gorgeous new rendering of a thought-provoking reexamination of history

‘VICTORIAN’ SUGAR PLUMS

A SUGARY, CHRISTMASSY SWEET WITH A MYSTERIOUS PAST, BRITAIN, 19TH CENTURY PRESENT

Key Events

1.5 million people were relocated during the first

ANDERSON SHELTER

Britain 1938-1945

LAND GIRL

Britain 1939-1945

RATION BOOK

Vital to the war effort, these coupon books helped control the food supply of the United States United States, 1942

HOME FRONT HEROES

Ten extraordinary people who – through acts big and small – contributed to the ongoing war effort

THE GLOBAL HOME FRONT

Professor Ashley Jackson explains how Britain’s imperial colonies had their unique experiences of WWII

HOME FRONT MUSEUMS AND SITES

From Churchill’s underground bunker to museums on Georgia’s coast, five sites that commemorate and celebrate the home front

HISTORY OF SANTA

Uncover eight centuries of festive folklore, from the Yule Lads to the Christmas Goat

WHO WERE THE PHOENICIANS?

Famed for providing the model for the alphabet and being among the most storied merchants and explorers of all time, the Phoenicians remain mysterious

LUCREZIA BORGIA THE POISON PRINCESS?

Does this Renaissance duchess, daughter of a scandalous pope, deserve her infamous reputation?

HUNT FOR THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN

For centuries, tales of a wild man of the Himalayas have fascinated mankind, but is the Yeti fact or fiction?

Great gifts of History RATED

Were these notable presents of the past worth the wrapping paper?

William Still SHEPHERD of EMANCIPATION

The remarkable story of how William Still helped hundreds of men, women and children escape from slavery